Release Mechanism for a Jarring Tool

ABSTRACT

A release mechanism for a jarring tool is formed by a plurality of segmented release lugs. Each lug includes a plurality of axial spaced projections on an inner surface and a plurality of grooves on an outer surface. The projections may have either different widths or may be separated by varying distances and releaseably engage corresponding grooves in a mandrel located within a housing of the tool. The release lugs are positioned between a trigger sleeve and the mandrel. In one embodiment, the release lugs are positioned within a support collar. In a second embodiment, the lugs are provided with stabilizing posts and cavities that serve to maintain the lugs in a proper alignment.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/250,836 filed Jan. 17, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a release mechanism for a mandrel of a jarring device commonly referred to as a jar and is related to application Ser. No. 16/168,610 filed Oct. 23, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Jars are used in the well drilling industry to free downhole tools that may become lodged in a well. An upward or downward force can be supplied to a tubular string which includes the affected tool in order to break free the tool from the well bore.

2. Description of Related Art

Typically, a release mechanism in the form of an annular collet is provided which normally prevents axial movement of the mandrel. The mandrel is spring biased to move with significant force in an upward or downward direction. If a sufficient force is placed on the mandrel, the collet will release.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,473 discloses a release assembly which comprises a plurality of angular segments 62 and 162 that engage in slots 86 and 88, and 186 and 188 respectively. It has been found that this arrangement can result in the segments 62 and 162 becoming out of alignment which could result in the failure of the release mechanism. As disclosed in the patent, the jar requires two sets of release lugs to withstand the anticipated tensile load. In this design the two lug assemblies must be spaced further apart than the total travel of the jar to prevent the lower lug from inadvertently engaging the groove of the upper lug assembly. If a third lug assembly were necessary it would have to be spaced a distance greater than the jar stroke from the lower set. This would significantly increase the total length of the jar and also the cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above noted problem by providing a plurality of angular lug segments each of which has two or more projections that engage corresponding grooves in the mandrel. The segments may be positioned within cutouts of an annular support collar or may include projections that are adapted to be received in recesses of adjoining lug segments to stabilize the segments.

In order to avoid misalignment or a jarring situation, the projections have either a differing width or are spaced at different distances. The grooves on the mandrel have a complimentary configuration as will be explained below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a release lug.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an annular support collar.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional and perspective view of the release mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the release in mechanism in a non-release position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a release lug according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a release mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the release mechanism shown in a non-release position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a single release lug 20. It includes a plurality of grooves 27 and 24 in its outer surface that are adapted to receive a plurality of springs 54 as shown in FIG. 3. The springs may be garter springs as shown or annular leaf springs.

Each lug 20 also includes a plurality of grooves 22 on their outer surface which form a plurality of ridges 21. The inner surface of each leg includes a plurality of grooves 32 which in turn form a plurality of ridges 31 and 33. The inner surface also includes two arcuate surfaces 58 and 59.

As shown in FIG. 2 an annular support collar 40 includes one or more cutout sections 44 that are adapted to receive lugs 20. Support collar 40 also includes a plurality of grooves 42, 43, 46, and 47 that are adapted to receive stabilizing springs 54.

FIG. 3 shows the lugs 20 positioned within cutouts 44 with springs 54 positioned within the grooves provided on the outer surface of lugs 20 and support collar 40. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a trigger sleeve 50 which includes an annular lip 53, a first surface 55 and a thick portion 51 on the outer surface.

FIG. 4 illustrates the release mechanism in an assembled position. The mandrel of the jarring device, not shown, would be located within the release mechanism as is known in the art. The outer surface of the mandrel would include a plurality of ridges and grooves as shown at 31 and 32 in the above mentioned patent application.

The interior surface of trigger sleeve 50 includes a plurality of grooves 56 and 57 forming a plurality of ridges 52. In the position of FIG. 4 the mandrel would be in the non-release position. As support collar 40 and lugs 20 are axially moved to the left as shown in FIG. 4, ridge 21 on the outer surface of lug 20 will be free to engage into grooves 57 of the release trigger 50. Release lugs 20 will move radially outward which will disengage the release lugs 20 from the mandrel. This in turn will allow the mandrel to cause the jarring force as is known in the art.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, each lug 60 is similar to the lug shown in FIG. 1 but each lug includes a pair of posts 68, 69, one at each end, and a pair of cavities 64, 67 one at each end of the lug. Cavities 64, 67 are adapted to receive the posts 68, 69 of an adjacent lug as shown in FIG. 6. Each lug includes a plurality of ridges 61 and grooves 91 on its exterior surface and a plurality of ridges 92 and grooves 93 on its interior surface.

Grooves 62, 63, 65, and 66 are located on the exterior surface of each lug for receiving annular springs 75, 76 which may be a garter or leaf spring.

As shown in FIG. 6, the release mechanism 70 includes a plurality of lugs 60 that are positioned to form an annular array. Each lug is initially spaced apart from an adjacent lug by a distance 79. Posts 68, 69 are located within cavities 64, 67 of an adjacent lug. As a result, the assembly of lugs can expand and contract in a radial direction depending upon the longitudinal relationship between the lugs and the trigger sleeve 70.

Trigger sleeve 70 includes a plurality of ridges 71 that form grooves which allow lugs 60 to expand radially outward when ridges 71 of the trigger sleeve align with grooves 91 of the lugs.

Trigger sleeve 70 includes an annular lip 73, an annular section 72 and a raised annular section 74.

In order to operate the jarring device a load is put on the mandrel, not shown, to the left as shown in FIG. 7. The mandrel which includes ridges and grooves will carry the release lugs to the left while the trigger sleeve remains stationary. As grooves 91 in the lugs align with ridges 71 in the trigger sleeve, the release assembly will expand radially outwardly allowing the mandrel to be released. During the expansion the dimension of posts 68, 69 and cavities 67, 64 are selected so that the posts 68 and 69 are located within the cavities during the entire release and reset positions.

Although the present invention had been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims. 

1. A release mechanism for a jarring tool comprising; a) a plurality of release lugs forming an annular array, b) each release lug including at least one cavity and at least one post adapted to interact with cavities and posts of adjacent lugs, and c) an annular trigger sleeve surrounding the lugs.
 2. The release mechanism of claim 1 wherein the release lugs are spaced apart from each other in the annular array.
 3. The release mechanism of claim 1 further including a plurality of springs surrounding the lugs.
 4. The release mechanism of claim 1 wherein each lug includes a plurality of ridges and grooves on an outer surface thereof adapted to interact with a plurality of ridges and grooves on an inner surface of the annular trigger sleeve.
 5. The release mechanism of claim 4 wherein each release lug includes a plurality of ridges and grooves on an inner surface thereof. 